NCED2 — Cucumis melo

Summary

MELO3C007127.2 (CmNCED2) on melon chromosome 9 encodes a carotenoid dioxygenase with 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase activity and metal binding, placing it in the Carotenoid_Oase family. The enzyme is associated with abscisic acid (ABA) anabolism and signaling, carotene breakdown, and the anabolism of beta-carotene, xanthophyll, lycopene, and other carotenoids. It is linked to fruit development and ripening, seed dormancy and germination, anther and pollen development, leaf senescence, and responses to salicylate, gibberellin, and jasmonic acid. The protein localises to the thylakoid, chloroplast thylakoid membrane, and chloroplast stroma. Associations with agronomic traits include carotene and carotenoid content, fruit color, photosynthetic rate, and tolerance to drought, salt, high light, and Botrytis cinerea, as well as stomatal closure and vegetative growth. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to additional traits such as tuber dormancy, root development, and boron sensitivity.